Jets finals hopes fade

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The Penrith Panthers showed they will be a real force in this year’s Intrust Super Premiership finals when they overran the Newtown Jets 46-10 at Henson Park on Saturday.

The Jets went into this game with an under-strength team, and were always likely to struggle against the side that boasts the best defensive record and the best points for and against aggregate in the competition.

Newtown opened the game brightly and hooker Adam Clydsdale showed clever footwork and good passing skills when he sent centre Edrick Lee in to score in the fifth minute.

The Jets competed very well for the next 20 minutes but were punished once they made handling errors and gave away several penalties.

The Panthers took advantage of this possession and territory and equalised in the 25th minute, and then scored three converted tries in the space of seven minutes just prior to halftime.

The Panthers led 22-6 moving into the second half, but the Jets were first to score through a smart try to winger Tyla Tamou. The Mountain Men reasserted their authority to score four more converted tries to run out 46-10 winners.

Newtown’s forwards all worked hard against the bigger Panthers forward pack, and Tyla Tamou and Edrick Lee were the best of the backs. Lee won the admiration of the crowd when he displayed speed and determination in a long-distance chase to run down the Penrith five-eighth who looked certain to score.

The loss saw the Jets officially eliminated from the finals race. In 11th on 19 points the Jets are now six points adrift of the eighth placed Newcastle Knights with just two rounds remaining.

The Jets will take on the Canberra Raiders partnership club, Mounties, at Henson Park next Saturday in their second to last match of the 2017 season. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.